Staying ahead in a risky marketplace - ROAMING – TRANSFORMED UNDER TECHNOLOGY AND REGULATIONS

It is very clear that the need for next generation networks are being pulled by the aggregated market demand for more IP-based services and apps, which ultimately leads to a strong continuous demand for more bandwidth. Looking at sales figures and the market growth of smartphones and other devices equipped with mobile Internet and WLAN capacity makes the situation even more obvious.
The bandwidth expansion of the wireless market is also pushing the industry for more mobile apps and cloud services, like mail accounts for example. The trend towards data traffic constituting a majority of the communication in next generation networks grows even stronger as voice calls over IP on mobile devices through applications like Skype, are becoming mainstream.

ROAMING – TRANSFORMED UNDER TECHNOLOGY AND REGULATIONS
 
The data traffic paradigm and market regulations are also changing the roaming market from being a lucrative cash cow in to a slim-lined business where operators need to be innovative to secure future revenues.Ref 1 The key to success in this market situation is customer focus. To identify, and always be updated on what the customer is looking for and being able to go beyond customer expectations requires a closer relationship with the customers and the business. This will enable operators to draw the right conclusions from their traffic and package their roaming services in an effective way. A good example is a recently launched offer in the Baltics, where operators have released a joint offer for roaming bundling, which is below the EU price recommendation.Ref 2 One of the biggest advantages of such types of flat rate international roaming offerings is that all services can be provided under a unified brand. The handling of market branding will become even more critical as the roaming market is moving towards a commodity market situation. The road to success passes through a stand-alone roaming solution that enables operators to offer end-users more and better services at lower prices.
 
SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITIES ON THE CARRIER TRADING MARKET
 
The carrier trading marketplace has turned in to a fast moving commodity market, which means that operators need to have a strategy for short and long term contracts and also have the know-how to capitalize on the opportunities. In practice, this means that operators need to adapt their Interconnect agreements from the outset for different customer segments and markets. Call quality, price and security are key differentiating factors for end customers.Ref 3
2 of 4
Basset Telecom Report
The market characteristics of carrier trading create many pitfalls. But for those who know how to adapt in to these new circumstances, there will be lots of new opportunities. New land cables and increased satellite capacity on the African continent are some examples of how the market foundations are evolving, creating more IP-capacity and consequently more VoIP-trading possibilities for mobile service providers and transforming this capacity to end-user offerings.Ref 4 For example, by offering end-users differentiated services depending on the required level of quality and making sure that these choices can easily be selected, operators are able to set up the most cost-efficient routes and send long distance call traffic accordingly. By using this Interconnect strategy, operators are able to significantly reduce the competition from Skype and prepaid cards.

(Source:Basset Report)